Two days after the No Tav clashes, Schlein has condemned the violence: "Solidarity with the police officers"

After two days, Elly Schlein has finally spoken out. “We have witnessed unacceptable, serious acts of violence that can never be justified; we condemn violence unreservedly. These acts of violence have affected many police officers, to whom the PD has expressed its solidarity and support.” The PD secretary gave her comments to the programme L’Aria che tira on La 7 regarding the unrest that broke out on Saturday during the No Tav march in Val di Susa, at the Tav construction site in Chiomonte. “We have always condemned every form of violence, without hesitation or wavering,” Schlein added, attacking the government. “Our country’s history has shown that violent individuals must be isolated. And this has happened when institutions and politicians have worked together. We are faced with a government whose representatives exploit events to pin the blame on the opposition. But they know that we have nothing to do with those violent fringe groups, of which we ourselves are the targets. So why are they exploiting the situation? The question we must ask is how to strengthen prevention, because it is unacceptable that hundreds of violent individuals have infiltrated construction sites,” the Democratic Party secretary continued. “We wonder how it is possible that, even in other contexts, the violent fringe always manages to infiltrate. They are exploiting the situation against the opposition because, in four years, they have failed and the country is less safe.” 

Schlein’s condemnation comes three days after the clashes, but also after the (more timely) statements from other allies in the broad coalition. “I cannot accept, and I absolutely cannot condone, anyone who dares to attack law enforcement officers who are carrying out their duties properly,” said Giuseppe Conte, leader of the M5S, on Saturday. “These are people on modest salaries who are often not even paid for their overtime, and who are frequently understaffed. Attacking these people who are doing their duty is a shameful act; therefore, I condemn any form of violence without ifs or buts.” Sharing the same view, and even using the same words as Conte and Schlein, AVS leader Angelo Bonelli said: “I condemn without ifs or buts the violence currently taking place in Val di Susa. These are utterly unacceptable actions, which have no justification whatsoever and which only serve to fuel a climate of tension that must be firmly rejected,” the MP said on Saturday. “The defence of the territory, the environment and the rights of communities is achieved through democratic mobilisation and non-violence. Those who resort to violence harm us all,” he concluded.